Was this apartment considered high-end?
In truth, it wasn’t particularly luxurious, but the presence of appliances like the television and refrigerator elevated its status.
The apartment prioritized comfort above all else, designed to make its occupants feel at ease.
The room with the best lighting and largest space was converted into Mao Kangshan’s study.
Three walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, with a desk placed under the window. Finally, all of Mao Kangshan’s books had proper storage, no longer needing to be stacked one atop another or stuffed under the dining table.
Mao Kangshan fell in love with this room instantly.
He didn’t even want to look at the bedroom; the study even had a recliner for brief rests when work became tiring.
For Madam Song, she loved how many cabinets the apartment had.
The bedroom’s wardrobe stretched from floor to ceiling!
In the living room, where the television stood, there was a wall of cabinets… Elderly people tend to be somewhat collectors, reluctant to throw things away. With so many cabinets, everything could be stored away, naturally keeping the apartment tidy.
“Old Mao, come look! Even under the bed in this smallest room, there are cabinets!”
Mao Kangshan, being a master architect, certainly understood these features.
“Those aren’t cabinets under the bed, that’s called tatami.”
Director Zhong finally found a chance to speak, “This smallest room could be for a housekeeper. They asked me to help find one – I wanted to get your opinions on this?”
Three rooms: one study, one bedroom for Mao Kangshan and Madam Song, and another for the housekeeper – Director Zhong thought this arrangement was ideal.
A housekeeper?
Madam Song was bewildered – had she and Old Mao reached a point where they could afford a housekeeper?
Mao Kangshan was somewhat interested. Speaking of money, he wasn’t particularly short of it now, and if they could have a diligent housekeeper, it would allow his wife to rest more.
Zheng Shuqin pushed her way through the crowd from behind:
“What housekeeper? I live upstairs, I can just move down here to look after you both!”
Looking at the renovated apartment, thinking about all the appliances – the television, refrigerator, washing machine, and even air conditioning in the living room… Such an apartment – if she could live here, it would make up for all the years of hardship she endured being married to Mao Guosheng. Finally, in middle age, she could enjoy some comfort!
But this time, it wasn’t others who opposed her, but the usually gentle and agreeable Madam Song:
“I don’t want your care. If you move in, you’ll never leave. This apartment was exchanged for us by Xiaolan, and I won’t have anyone else here!”
The neighbors couldn’t help but laugh, all saying how fortunate Madam Song and Mao Kangshan were to have such a filial disciple.
Even someone as thick-skinned as Zheng Shuqin turned red with embarrassment.
The other children and grandchildren of the Mao family all expressed their positions – they couldn’t provide Mao Kangshan and Madam Song with such good living conditions, but the master’s disciple had. They were grateful and ashamed, and naturally wouldn’t try to take advantage of this situation.
“If anyone has designs on this apartment, don’t blame me for not being polite!”
Mao Guosheng’s second sister-in-law’s words were pointed. With the whole family targeting Zheng Shuqin, and the compound neighbors also speaking against her, she finally couldn’t take it anymore. She squeezed out of the crowd and hurried home, shutting her door tight, unwilling to appear again.
“Master Mao, there’s no time like the present. Since your family is all here today, why don’t we all help you and Madam Song move in right now? What do you think?”
Director Zhong’s suggestion was thoughtful and received unanimous approval from the Mao family.
Among the watching neighbors, some clever ones exchanged knowing looks – since when had Director Zhong become so accommodating?
While Mao Kangshan was still hesitating, his second daughter-in-law discussed with the others and assured Mao Kangshan and Madam Song about moving downstairs:
“We might not be as well-off as Young Xia, but we won’t let her bear the burden alone. I’ve discussed this with my elder sister-in-law and two sisters – each family will contribute 5,000 yuan, totaling 20,000 yuan for Young Xia. Dad, what do you think? It’s not much money, but it’s our way of showing filial piety. You can’t let Young Xia be the only one showing filial respect, right? Give us a chance too!”
Mao Kangshan and Madam Song had three sons and two daughters.
The eldest son had passed away early, but his children were already working and earning money.
The second son worked in infrastructure construction and didn’t spend much time in Hangzhou.
Both daughters were married but had formal jobs.
Among the five Mao siblings, including Mao Guosheng, while they couldn’t compare with the best, they were better off than many. Though 5,000 yuan from each family would be painful, they had no choice – did they want people pointing fingers at them for being unfilial?
They would have to tighten their belts to produce this 5,000 yuan.
The amount wasn’t important; everyone was doing their best to show their sincerity!
In the past, Mao Kangshan would never have accepted this money.
But after being Xia Xiaolan’s teacher for half a year, with her constantly forcing him to accept various “filial gifts”… Mao Kangshan, stubborn all his life, had finally learned to accept kindness from the younger generation in his old age.
“Are you all truly willing to contribute this money? Eldest son’s family-“
“Dad, please don’t say such distant things. We can afford this money,” the eldest daughter-in-law quickly interrupted Mao Kangshan, afraid he would say something to create distance. Though her husband had died, she had no intention of remarrying. Now her children were grown, and having been a daughter-in-law of the Mao family for most of her life, wasn’t she part of the Mao family?
Madam Song’s lips trembled for a long while, but she couldn’t say a word.
Since Old Mao’s sent-down years and subsequent rehabilitation, they had grown distant from their children. This was the first time Madam Song felt that although they didn’t live together, their children were still closely connected to her and Old Mao… The previous vague coldness and distance had somehow disappeared.
Why was this?
It was because of Xia Xiaolan!
Since she had taken Old Mao as her teacher, the Mao family had undergone earth-shattering changes!
Mao Kangshan was also speechless.
It wasn’t that he had no money.
But while he had savings before, he had never felt this happy.
“Alright, we’ll do as you say. Your mother and I will move downstairs today!”
The Mao family members happily agreed and went upstairs to help with the move, while the neighbors spontaneously broke into applause.
Everyone loves a happy ending. Master Mao and Madam Song now had a new home, a filial disciple, and their children were more united and close – if this wasn’t a perfect ending, what was?
Oh, as for Zheng Shuqin and Mao Guosheng? They were like two rat droppings in a pot of fresh soup. Master Mao and Madam Song had plenty of people eager to show them respect; the absence of these two made little difference!
Director Zhong’s earlier comment upstairs about “the blessing of having children and grandchildren all around” finally didn’t seem ironic at this moment.
The Mao family’s bustling activity continued until evening.
After moving in, Mao Kangshan’s two daughters-in-law were cooking in the kitchen.
Zheng Shuqin had one thing right – a three-bedroom apartment was indeed spacious, especially when thoughtfully designed and renovated. Young people could watch TV in the living room, while those who loved reading could help Mao Kangshan organize his books in the study. The whole family was lively and harmonious.
Watching his book collection being properly arranged one by one, Mao Kangshan’s thoughts still turned to Xia Xiaolan. He said to Madam Song:
“I wonder if she’s in Pengcheng now, or if she’s returned to Beijing. I hope she’s not working too hard to earn money?”